Construction shim



July 2l, 1959 l.. F. URBAIN ETAL CONSTRUCTION: sHIM Filed Nov. 2s. 1954' United States Patnt CONS'ERUC'IION SHIM "LeonFQUrbain and Matthew PGlowaeki, Chicago, Ill.; said Glowacki assigner to said 'Urbain Application VNovember .26.1954,.Serial.No. I471,386

9"Claims. "(Cl.'248-3"54) The present 'invention :relates to structural lelements land p'afrtieu'lal-y'v-to s'hinrs.

It is an important object of the ypresent invention Zto yjprovile '-a Tnew "and improved 7shim which is tadjustable Lwithin*wide lirnits.

Another-'object of the invention L, is to provide a sheet metal shim fwhich `is adjustable and which positively v'-xn'i-ntains lits adjusted positionfeven lunder great 'load.

`Yet Ianotherfobjectfof fthe invention is to provide an 4`'improved shim rwhichcan be leasily and readily Amade using conventional forming techniques.

Still another object of the invention lisltoiprovide a 'shirno zthe ltype set 'forth including means Vito llock the shim '-With respect to "the overlying supporting 'surface fp'ositively to fprevent linadvertent shifting thereof lunder load.

'These iandlother objects land l'-'advanta'ges of fthe linvenjtion will be fbe'tter 'understood ffrorn fthe following ifde- `fsoripti'on `when italien Vin connection lwith AVthe'JacCompanyin'g 'drawing. 1n the :drawing wherein like reference y.-mirnerals have been Y.utilized #to `designate "like fparts Lthroughout:

'fFigure 'il is -a `perspective vieu/showing a-f's'him made fin :accordance with the presentjinvention fin fcoopera'tion 'with other vstructural elements l*to supportJ a -fwooden'floor upon a concrete support surface;

Figure 2 is ra- View in yvertical section isubstantially as rcseen "in the fdirectionlofthe arrows -along fthefline 2-2 .-o'flFignre 1;

fFigure 3 lisa side elevational viewfs'how'ing lthe shim :of the :present invention :in its lowest -adjusted position nin lso'lid linestand lin its *highestl adjusted position indotted linestan'd Figure '4 l@is ia vplan view Aof the blank Ifrorrrwhich kthe shim-of the present-.inventionis lformed.

"The 'new and "improved `shim of the present applica- .tion fha's Jgeneral 'utility and is 1usefu'l'inmany V'structural l'systems '11n general the shim may Abe lused wherever #adjustments -rnust :be made `between the level '-o'f Aa'subjacentsupportand la building elementlwhich is to 'be laid Vthereon. l'Two 'speciiic :examples of `such applications are `the :laying 'of a wooden loorupon a `substantially horizontal masonry door such as a concrete floor'having imperfections rin the 'surface thereof, -and 'in the -posi- '.tioning o'f lpaneling over vertical walls -Whereinfthe sub- :jacentisupport is :uneven and some structure 'must be usedito insure that "the Hexposed surface vof thepaneling 'is srnoothfand or" the desiredfinclination.

.There is shown -in Figures l and '2 of -the drawing, "one 'situation `inwhich theshim fof thepresent invention A.hasip'articular utility, 'namely...in the `laying ofi-voeden trl'oorsiiuponl'fan tuneven -fconcrete support :'floor. There vis :shown Vinthe 'figure `a concrete floor 1-"0 upon Zwhich ,it is .desired to lay tongue land groovewooden "boa-rds 12 to iformrarfsmooth fand .level 'wooden tloor, rfor example such :as sa floor fora basketball court. The boards 12 *are supported by a channel 'd'4 which holds and supports 'clips i116 that anchor `boards i112 withrespect to leach other "of ibase .24. -foflreinforcing'ianges164and 65, Vthe top A30 is provided `2 andwith respect to the channe'114. 'If channel im and .its adjacent channels.arefpositionedlevel and smooth, the wooden 'floor made from v'boards 12 is also level and smooth. l"In those cases in which a depression or irregularity occursfin A.the concrete Ydoorn), vit 'is necessary to'provide a shim to adjust lthe position of channel 14 to make it level. "Since the :irregularities in oor 10 may be great and will vary'frorn point to point, Vitis desirable to ,provide an adjustableshim of the ypr'esentlfinventiou which *is generally 'designated by the numeral "Shim `18 when properly 'adjusted .will position .channel "14 so Las' to :make "it 'level An 'anchor rvmember `20 passing through `an'aperture in channel 14 'and through aligned `apertures inshim 18"servesto'anchor'the channel 14 and vshirn "18 with'respect to 'concretedioor 10, the lower end of 'anchorimeinber 2i) passing `into and .being gripped "by vananohor sleeve "22 'embedded in Vconcrete .floor Jl0.

The l'constructionrof the 'shim '18 willznowibe described in detail. lShim l'18 fcomprises generally 'a substantially fiiat'base Zt-"whic'hfha's integrally attached .thereto at one `end"asubstantially a't side 26, base .24 and side I26 being connected by -f'a bendable portion .28. integrally 'connected to "the other endof vside`2t is a top or support vmember 30 'which is 'connected to 'side y26 by a reduced bendable portion 32. More specically, the junction "between `side 26 and top t 30 iisnotched 'as 4at 3'4 and A3.6 land la Lpair of "apertures Aand "40 'is formed :in 'the junction also.

Attached to the other YKside of top 30'is 'a second'side 2%2, A'the junction between iside 42 and 'top 3i) r'being fea 'bendble '-portion'4'4 to permit Yready Lbending between these 'two parts. This'junc'tion 44 isalsojprovided with two V-shaped notches '4'6 'and "4'8 and `with a vpair "of aligned `apertures 50 and'52 fsimil'ar 'in #shape-and -function 'to apertures tand `40"at"'-junction 32. The other fendoflside 4`2has )aspairof notch engagingprojections "54 and 56 lformed YAthereon and extending outwardly Vtherefrom, the angle Y'of the nsurface of `projections '54 "opposite -to projections 54 and 156. 'The purpose Aof tongue g58 is Ito'permit 'a workmanto engage thetongue lwith an instrument `such Las a`-pair vof pliers to aid in "adjusting the 'height/df the shim.

YInforder furtherto'rigidify lthe lvarious parts to take the lnecessary lo'ads applied thereto in use, the base 24 is provided with ia pair of `side flanges 60 and n62 :which 4extend alongfthe'length thereo'f1and1are turned upwardly Yatsan angle :of Asubstantially 190 with respect tothe plane 'The -s'ide 26 `is vprovided with asimilar pair fwithreinforcingiianges j68 and v7() and Aside 42 is profvidedwithireinforcing anges 7.2and 74. It'will ybe'seen -of-side42 fbutterminate Kshort ofthe projections 54 and y'wherebyto `leave ithese projections substantially wider :thanlthe sideitz.

When the shim v`:is in operative position the side 26 Lis lbent -at :an I'acute'angle `withrespect to base 24 and `rin order L-to fpermit such 'iavbending fthe-width of 'base 24 .is :substantially -less v'thunthe width ot :side '26 'so 'that :the yanges `1614 Aand :66 `on side 2vfcanr'overlie vand extend vdownwardly-fon'the outside 'o'f Aflanges 60 and `62 formed on'lbase 124. lIn operative position the top 30 'is bent `at :an .obtuse angle with -respecttoeach of sides 26-and the length thereof. More particularly, the portion of flange 60 positioned away from junction 28 and side 26 is provided with a plurality of teeth 75. Each tooth 75 has a side disposed substantially perpendicular to base 24, this side being disposed toward junction 28. Flange 62 is similarly provided with ya plurality of teeth 76, teeth 76 being shaped like teeth 75 and being aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of base 24. Projections 54 and 56 on side 42 are adapted to engage with the vertical edges of teeth 75 and 76, respectively, whereby to hold shim 18 in any desired adjusted position.

In order to achieve the desired degree of adjustability, it is desirable that the base 24 be provided with as many teeth as possible so that the amount of adjustability in moving from one tooth to the next is substantially small to give substantial vertical adjustment of the shim. On the other hand the strength of the teeth 75 and 76 is increased if the number of the teeth is smaller whereby the size of each tooth is greater. It has been found that one suitable combination of the number of teeth and size of teeth is a structure in which the length of the edge of the teeth perpendicular to base 24 is approximately 1,66 inch and the distance from the point of one tooth to the point of the adjacent tooth is about 5&6 inch. This combination of dimensions produces a structurally strong shim with a practicable degree of adjustability.

In order to permit mounting of the shim on the oor 10, an aperture 78 is provided in top 30 in substantially the geometrical center thereof and an elongated slot 80 is formed in base 24. When shim 18 is in operative position, aperture 78 in top 30 will overlie some portion of slot 80 in any of the adjusted positions of the shim 18. When the shim is applied to a vertical support, it is necessary to prevent rotation of the shim about the fastener passing through aperture 78 and slot 80 and to this end there is provided in base 24 another aperture 82.

In forming shim 18, `a blank is first cut in the shape shown in Figure 4. The same numerals have been applied to the various parts of the blank in Figure 4 so that the corresponding parts of the finished shim can be more readily recognized. It will be seen that flanges 60 and 62 are formed by bending the blank along fold lines 84 and 86, respectively, that anges 64, 68 and 72 are formed by bending along the line 88, and that flanges 66, 70, and 74 are formed by bending along the line 90.

When using the shim 18 of the present invention in laying a wooden floor on a concrete subfloor, an anchor sleeve 22 is first inserted at the proper point in the concrete floor 10. A shim 18 is bent into the position shown in Figure 1, a channel 14 is laid thereover and an anchor is passed through aperture 78 and the slot 80 into anchor sleeve 22. It is to be understood Ithat before anchor member 20 is driven, the shim is adjusted to the approximate height. Channel 14 is then checked to determine if it is truly level and if it is found that channel 14 is not level, the shim is suitably adjusted. More specifically, if the end of channel 14 under shim 18 is too high, a workman grasps the tongue 58 with a pair of pliers and moves the projections 54-56 toward the free end of base 24 to engage the next set of teeth 75-76. Anchor member 20 is again moved to fastening position and channel member 14 checked to see if it is level. If the end of channel 14 under shim 18 is too low, then projections 54 and 56 are moved to a new set of teeth 75-76 positioned toward junction 28. When it is determined that channel 14 is level, the anchor member 20 is driven to final anchoring position. After the shim 18 has been adjusted to the nal height, grouting 92 is poured around the shims 18 and the channels 14 up to the upper edge of channel 14. The grouting 92 holds the shims 18 in xed relationship and prevents inadvertent shifting thereof.

Due to the fact that the anges 64-66, 68-70, and

72-74 overlie flanges S0-62, the shim 18 can be moved to a very low position limited by the height of the flanges and as is illustrated .in solid lines in Figure 3. A shim having the necessary structural strength has an effective height in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3 of about 1A inch. When adjusted to its maximum height yas shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, this shim measures approximately 2 inches from the bottom of base 24 to the upper surface of top 30. This compares with shims used heretofore which have a maximum height in use of /s to 3A inch.

When the shim 18 is applied to a vertical structure, no grouting is usually applied and, accordingly, additional means is necessary to prevent inadventent shifting of the shim under load. To this end a fastener such as a screw is inserted through the opening 82 in base 24 and this fastener together with the fastener passing through aperture 78 and slot 80 will prevent inadvertent slipping of shim 18 although no grouting or other such material is used.

Although a certain preferred example of the shim of the present invention has been shown, and although certain preferred applications have been given for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An integral one-piece adjustable shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby comprising a substantially planar base, a first side having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable portion, a substantially planar load bearing support member having one edge thereof integrally connected to said side by a bendable portion, a second side integrally connected to an opposite edge of said support member by a bendable portion, and means adjustably interconnecting the other end of said second side and said base whereby to position said support member at varying distances within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches from said base and substantially parallel therewith.

2. An integral one-piece adjustable sheet metal shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby comprising a substantially planar base, a rst side having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an acute angle therewith, a substantially planar load bearing support member having one end thereof integrally connected to the other end of said rst side by a bendable connection, a second side having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection, and means including teeth and projections adjustably to position the other end of said second side with respect to said base whereby to position said support member at varying distances within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches from said base and substantially parallel therewith.

3. An integral one-piece adjustable sheet metal shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby comprising a substantially planar base, a irst side member having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an acute angle therewith, a substantially planar load bearing support member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said first side member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a second side member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a plurality of teeth formed on the other end of said base, and a projection formed on the other end of said second side member and engaging with kone of said teeth to .hold and .position ,said support memberfat an adjustable distance within the range of :about Mi inch to about 2 inches from said :base and substantially parallel therewith.

4. An integral `one-piece adjustable'shim for adjusting the position of a load vreceiving member isupported'thereby comprising a base, ,a first side .member having one end thereof integrallyconnected to one end ofsaid base by a bendable connection, asupport :member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said irst side member by a bendable connection, a second side member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection, a plurality of teeth formed on the other end of said base, and a projection formed on the other end of said second side member and engaging with one of said teeth to hold and position said support member at an adjustable distance within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches from said base, said support meinber having an aperture therein and said base having an elongated slot therein, said aperture being aligned with some portion of said slot in all adjusted positions of said shim.

5. An integral one-piece adjustable shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches comprising a substantially planar base, a rst side member having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an acute angle therewith, a substantially planar load bearing support member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said lirst side member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a second side having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a plurality of teeth formed on the other end of said base, a projection formed on the other end of said second side member and engaging with one of said teeth, each of said side members and said base and said support members having reinforcing anges formed on the free edges thereof.

6. An integral one-piece adjustable shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches comprising a substantially planar base, a lirst side member having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an angle therewith, a substantially planar load bearing support member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said iirst side member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a second side member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, reinforcing flanges formed on the longitudinal free edges of said base, a set of teeth formed in each of said anges adjacent the other end of said base, and a projection formed on each edge of said second side member, one of said projections cooperating with one set of teeth and the other projection cooperating with the other set of teeth to hold said support member at an adjusted position with respect to said base and substantially parallel therewith.

7. An integral one-piece adjustable shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches comprising a substantially planar base, a first side member having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an acute angle therewith, a substantially planar load bearing support member having one end thereof 7,6 .integrally attached to the other 'end 'of ysaid `first v:side member 'by .a bendable connection, and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a second side member having one end thereof integrally attached -tofthe other end of said vsupport. member by a 'bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, reinforcing flanges formed on 'the longitudinal free edges of said base, a set of teeth formed iin each of said flanges vadjacent the other end o'f said base, a projection formed on each edge of said second side member, one of said projections cooperating with one set of teeth and the other projection cooperating 'with the other set of teeth, and a tool engaging tongue formed on said second side member between said projections and extending outwardly therefrom.

8. An integral one-piece adjustable shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches comprising a base, a first side member having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection, a support member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said rst side member by a bendable connection, a second side member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection, reinforcing tianges formed on the longitudinal free edges of said base, a set of teeth formed in each of said anges adjacent the other end of said base, a projection formed on each edge of said second side member, one of said projections cooperating with one set of teeth and the other projection cooperating with the other set of teeth, said support member having an aperture formed therein and said base having an elongated slot formed therein, said aperture being in alignment with some portion of said slot at all adjusted positions of said shim, the end of said base opposite the connection to said first side member having an aperture formed therein.

9. An integral one-piece adjustable sheet metal shim for adjusting the position of a load receiving member supported thereby within the range of about 1A inch to about 2 inches comprising a base, a iirst pair of reinforcing anges formed on the longitudinally extending sides of said base and disposed at substantially right angles thereto, a iirst side member having one end thereof integrally connected to one end of said base by a bendable connection and in use disposed at an acute angle therewith, a second pair of reinforcing flanges formed on the longitudinally extending sides of said iirst side member, a load bearing support member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said rst side member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a third pair of reinforcing anges formed on said support member, a second side member having one end thereof integrally attached to the other end of said support member by a bendable connection and disposed in use at an obtuse angle therewith, a fourth set of reinforcing anges formed on the longitudinal edges of said second side member, a set of teeth formed in each of said rst pair of reinforcing anges on said base adjacent the free end of said base, a laterally and upwardly extending projection formed on each edge of second side member, one of said projections cooperating with one set of teeth and the other projection cooperating with the other set of teeth, and a tool engaging tongue formed on the free end of said second side member between said projections and extending upwardly therefrom, said support member having an aperture formed therein and said base having an elongated slot formed therein, said aperture being in alignment with some portion of said slot at all adjusted positions of said shim, the end of said base opposite the connection to said rst side member having an aperture formed therein, the width of said base being less than the width of said support member and said side members whereby said rst pair of reinforcing anges t within the other pairs of reinforcing anges.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Landis Mar. 25, 1879 Kraus Sept. 6, 1904 Babcock May 10, 1910 Tyner Nov. 29, 1910 Woolery Aug. 15, 1916 Goodykoontz Dec. 3, 1918 8 Nottingham Nov. 25, 1919 f Wiebe Apr. 16, 1929 Cullman Dec. 23, 1930 Hildebrand Feb. 7, 1933 Doughty Apr. 18, 1941 Ellinwood Feb. 9, 1943 Hurley May 30, 1944 Hartman Apr. 24, 1945 Rice Apr. 12, 1949 Bova Nov. 29, 1955 

